Just finished registering for my set of classes for the Fall term (in this instance, I will use the word...in all other cases, I'm saying autumn. Just for the record). I have to admit that the concept of registration is rather alien to me - at Oxford, we basically didn't have any choice in the classes we took, at least for the first two years, and even after then we still didn't have anything like the amount of freedom we seem to have here. While you could in theory take classes outside your department, hardly anyone ever did, partly because they were rarely useful and partly because nobody could usually be bothered. I do like the flexibility of the US system, to be sure.
That was after Departmental orientation and discussion with Prof. Shirane of what courses I was planning to take. He had some useful advice about various subjects, most pertinently that I should take a course in literary theory..."Derrida! Foucault! Marx! Engels! Can you hear me Friedrich Engels! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"
You have to be British and into football to get that, so most of you probably won't...
I also went out for Ethiopian last night with some other ISSO students. It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, almost identical to the Eritrean food I had about a month ago, but still tasted great, and I got to meet some more new international students. Again, they seemed like a cool bunch, but you never know how much you're going to get to see them once classes start. It could be that some of the people I've got on best with so far I'll hardly ever bump into again...
Still, I think I'm going to like it here...
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Hot in the city
It's hot and humid and not altogether pleasant in NYC right now - I can see why New Yorkers get out of the city during the summer months. Not having much choice in the matter, I just have to grin and bear it - but there's been plenty going on here to take my mind off the heat.
Friday night, met up with some friends-of-friends at a rather cool waterfront cafe just off 79th Street, overlooking the Hudson River. Spectacular views at night of New Jersey's office blocks lit up against the evening sky. Not a bad place to drink at all.
Previously in the day we'd had the International Student Orientation on campus. This was an interesting affair, a chance for the ISSO staff to take us through all the immigration procedures and stuff we had to be aware of, safety on and around campus, that kind of thing. For the most part there was a lot of useful information, although I didn't get the impression that as a native English speaker the orientation was really geared towards me. This impression was confirmed when the lady MC'ing the event asked those present (about 1,400 people) to stand up according to their area of origin. On "Asia", fully half the room stood up...
The Orientation also produced another gem from the ISSO, "Survival 101 - Your Guide to the US, New York and Columbia". I read this cover to cover, and like the guide available on the net which I printed out before I came, it's so good I think it deserves a wider audience. Allow me to produce some of my favourite parts below for you:
"Americans tend to shower daily, use deodorant, and wash clothes frequently. Strong odors of any kind, including body odor, perfumes and colognes, and ethnic food odors, are disturbing to Americans [guess I better chuck that Eau de Fish and Chips I brought - RT]. They probably won't tell you if your odor is offensive to them, so be aware of others' reactions to you. If you think they may be offended by an odor, you may want to adopt some American hygiene practices while you are here."
"If you ask for a phone number from a new friend, he/she may not give it to you. Don't feel offended, but respect the person's choice. Also, if they take your number, that does not automatically mean they will call you."
OK, OK, I know the ISSO is doing a great job, and that the orientation is mainly geared towards Asian/South American/African students, but still...The Americans I showed this to thought it was hilarious, as did the other Brits, Canadians and Indians I've met over the last few days. Although in the ISSO's defence there is quite a bit of useful info in there, like tax-free shopping periods, which my New Yorker friends didn't know about.
And the ISSO has been doing a nifty line in events celebrating New York. Sunday was a case in point - a tour of the magnificent Central Park, a first for me, followed by a trip to Brooklyn and return to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. Things finished off at the Lincoln Centre, with live outdoor Jazz. Not being a jazz afficionado, I can't really say much about it, but it was pretty cool just to be able to sit outside on a summer evening and chill out.
I've been meeting a lot of people of varying nationalities, kind of like JET all over again, only more wide-ranging. Been hanging out (and talking cricket) with a lot of Indians and a few fellow Brits (met only three so far - I don't think there are many of us). Met a lof of cool people and am feeling pretty happy about the way things are working out so far.
Anyway, this post has gone on long enough, so I'll leave you with the photos below.
Friday night, met up with some friends-of-friends at a rather cool waterfront cafe just off 79th Street, overlooking the Hudson River. Spectacular views at night of New Jersey's office blocks lit up against the evening sky. Not a bad place to drink at all.
Previously in the day we'd had the International Student Orientation on campus. This was an interesting affair, a chance for the ISSO staff to take us through all the immigration procedures and stuff we had to be aware of, safety on and around campus, that kind of thing. For the most part there was a lot of useful information, although I didn't get the impression that as a native English speaker the orientation was really geared towards me. This impression was confirmed when the lady MC'ing the event asked those present (about 1,400 people) to stand up according to their area of origin. On "Asia", fully half the room stood up...
The Orientation also produced another gem from the ISSO, "Survival 101 - Your Guide to the US, New York and Columbia". I read this cover to cover, and like the guide available on the net which I printed out before I came, it's so good I think it deserves a wider audience. Allow me to produce some of my favourite parts below for you:
"Americans tend to shower daily, use deodorant, and wash clothes frequently. Strong odors of any kind, including body odor, perfumes and colognes, and ethnic food odors, are disturbing to Americans [guess I better chuck that Eau de Fish and Chips I brought - RT]. They probably won't tell you if your odor is offensive to them, so be aware of others' reactions to you. If you think they may be offended by an odor, you may want to adopt some American hygiene practices while you are here."
"If you ask for a phone number from a new friend, he/she may not give it to you. Don't feel offended, but respect the person's choice. Also, if they take your number, that does not automatically mean they will call you."
OK, OK, I know the ISSO is doing a great job, and that the orientation is mainly geared towards Asian/South American/African students, but still...The Americans I showed this to thought it was hilarious, as did the other Brits, Canadians and Indians I've met over the last few days. Although in the ISSO's defence there is quite a bit of useful info in there, like tax-free shopping periods, which my New Yorker friends didn't know about.
And the ISSO has been doing a nifty line in events celebrating New York. Sunday was a case in point - a tour of the magnificent Central Park, a first for me, followed by a trip to Brooklyn and return to Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge. Things finished off at the Lincoln Centre, with live outdoor Jazz. Not being a jazz afficionado, I can't really say much about it, but it was pretty cool just to be able to sit outside on a summer evening and chill out.
I've been meeting a lot of people of varying nationalities, kind of like JET all over again, only more wide-ranging. Been hanging out (and talking cricket) with a lot of Indians and a few fellow Brits (met only three so far - I don't think there are many of us). Met a lof of cool people and am feeling pretty happy about the way things are working out so far.
Anyway, this post has gone on long enough, so I'll leave you with the photos below.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Hitting the Beaches
I'm in New York, just ending my first full day in Manhattan at my desk in my room on 110th Street. I was able to hook my laptop up to the college Ethernet right away, so the show will go on. My room is very spartan, and if I were nitpicking I might say it was rather dingy, as it doesn't get much natural light and there're no overhead light fittings. Still, I've only been here a day or so, so I'm confident I'll be able to brighten the place up a bit in due course. See for yourself below. It is, though, in an excellent location, very close to campus, with all sorts of shops in easy walking distance and a subway station on the corner.
I've spent the day basically chasing around the city doing all sorts of admin stuff to get set up here. I stayed in a hotel on West 38th last night, as I got in to JFK too late to move in to Harmony Hall, as it's known. Got up early (jet lag and having gone to bed early too) and breakfasted on a toasted bagel with cream cheese - New York par excellence. Got up to the Upper West Side, signed my lease and moved in. Realised at once I'd have to do something about the bed cos there wasn't any bedding - as you can see below, I got that sorted out in good time.
Dumping my stuff off (a welcome relief after lugging it ten blocks), I changed clothes and went to have a look at the Columbia campus as well as pay my bill and find out when and how I would get my scholarship paid. I was able to do what I came for, and the campus was worth the trip in itself. The Low Memorial Library and the Butler Library opposite just scream Ivy League at you...but they're quite something to behold. I got a Tex-Mex Hero from the deli across the road and chowed down in agreeable surroundings, bothered only by the occasional pigeon.
Lunch completed, I went to check in at the International Students and Scholars Office, to get my Visa status updated and as luck would have it to open a bank account at the same time - apparently they have a Citibank rep there on call, as it were. That done, I drifted back along Broadway, stopping to pick up stuff I needed - basic stuff like a lightbulb, coathangers, pillows and so on.
I haven't really met any of my fellow students here at Harmony yet - either they're not here yet, or they're very reclusive. The ones I have met have all been non-American and not very forthcoming, so perhaps it's the latter of the two, but only time will tell. Right now though, I'm in a huge city where I almost literally don't know anyone...and the thought is simultaneously uplifting and terrifying.
I got more done than I thought I would today, so I can take tomorrow a little bit more calmly. It's been fine weather here, pretty hot in fact, and I've been sweating a bit as I've tramped up and down the pavement. I showered before dinner and was glad of the cool breeze this evening as I looked for somewhere to eat.
The jet-lag's starting to kick in, so I'll leave it there for now, with the promise of more to come (and pictures! I'm off the 56k dial-up!) of the Columbia campus and area.
I've spent the day basically chasing around the city doing all sorts of admin stuff to get set up here. I stayed in a hotel on West 38th last night, as I got in to JFK too late to move in to Harmony Hall, as it's known. Got up early (jet lag and having gone to bed early too) and breakfasted on a toasted bagel with cream cheese - New York par excellence. Got up to the Upper West Side, signed my lease and moved in. Realised at once I'd have to do something about the bed cos there wasn't any bedding - as you can see below, I got that sorted out in good time.
Dumping my stuff off (a welcome relief after lugging it ten blocks), I changed clothes and went to have a look at the Columbia campus as well as pay my bill and find out when and how I would get my scholarship paid. I was able to do what I came for, and the campus was worth the trip in itself. The Low Memorial Library and the Butler Library opposite just scream Ivy League at you...but they're quite something to behold. I got a Tex-Mex Hero from the deli across the road and chowed down in agreeable surroundings, bothered only by the occasional pigeon.
Lunch completed, I went to check in at the International Students and Scholars Office, to get my Visa status updated and as luck would have it to open a bank account at the same time - apparently they have a Citibank rep there on call, as it were. That done, I drifted back along Broadway, stopping to pick up stuff I needed - basic stuff like a lightbulb, coathangers, pillows and so on.
I haven't really met any of my fellow students here at Harmony yet - either they're not here yet, or they're very reclusive. The ones I have met have all been non-American and not very forthcoming, so perhaps it's the latter of the two, but only time will tell. Right now though, I'm in a huge city where I almost literally don't know anyone...and the thought is simultaneously uplifting and terrifying.
I got more done than I thought I would today, so I can take tomorrow a little bit more calmly. It's been fine weather here, pretty hot in fact, and I've been sweating a bit as I've tramped up and down the pavement. I showered before dinner and was glad of the cool breeze this evening as I looked for somewhere to eat.
The jet-lag's starting to kick in, so I'll leave it there for now, with the promise of more to come (and pictures! I'm off the 56k dial-up!) of the Columbia campus and area.
Monday, August 22, 2005
In a New York State of Mind
I'm off tomorrow. Fly out of LHR at ten past five and arrive at JFK at 7:40 p.m. local time. The next few days will be pretty chaotic - got orientations to attend, a flat to move in to, people to meet, and all sorts of minor things like opening a bank account to sort out. Although my room in New York has an ethernet connection, I don't know how long it'll be before I'm hooked up to it, so I may be without internet access for a while.
In the meantime, I've been to see Stomp in Covent Garden - excellent production, innovative, energetic and performed with just the right mixture of brio and cynicism. Reminded me a lot of a production I saw in South Korea when I was there in March, Nanta or Cooking as it was also called - very like Stomp, only set in a kitchen and with more of a unified plot. Enjoyed dinner and the show immensely...needless to say Sarah was most charming company as well.
Friday, went for Vietnamese in Cambridge with Sandie, chatted about all the usual JET gossip. By all accounts there is a guy in Yoneyama, Miyagi, a new JET, who is the absolute spitting image of me. Lucky fella.
Saturday, lunch at The Viceroy of India in Essex. Full Indian meal with my parents, the best Indian food I've had since Namaskar. Come to think of it the only Indian food I've had since Namaskar, but very good all the same. And talking to the owner about cricket in Bangladesh won us a tray of complimentary cognacs. Never let it be said that my passion for cricket never got me anywhere. Saturday night, dinner and drinks in Soho with Karen and some old uni buddies, Matt Cole, Matt Pound, Kirsty, and Nina. Dinner at New Diamond, in London's rather miniature Chinatown. Fine food and good company, can't go wrong.
So, this is it. As of tomorrow, this blog starts to do what it says on the tin. Where will the next year lead me? Am I destined for Sex and the City living, or a daily existence more akin to Seinfeld?
The curtain rises...
In the meantime, I've been to see Stomp in Covent Garden - excellent production, innovative, energetic and performed with just the right mixture of brio and cynicism. Reminded me a lot of a production I saw in South Korea when I was there in March, Nanta or Cooking as it was also called - very like Stomp, only set in a kitchen and with more of a unified plot. Enjoyed dinner and the show immensely...needless to say Sarah was most charming company as well.
Friday, went for Vietnamese in Cambridge with Sandie, chatted about all the usual JET gossip. By all accounts there is a guy in Yoneyama, Miyagi, a new JET, who is the absolute spitting image of me. Lucky fella.
Saturday, lunch at The Viceroy of India in Essex. Full Indian meal with my parents, the best Indian food I've had since Namaskar. Come to think of it the only Indian food I've had since Namaskar, but very good all the same. And talking to the owner about cricket in Bangladesh won us a tray of complimentary cognacs. Never let it be said that my passion for cricket never got me anywhere. Saturday night, dinner and drinks in Soho with Karen and some old uni buddies, Matt Cole, Matt Pound, Kirsty, and Nina. Dinner at New Diamond, in London's rather miniature Chinatown. Fine food and good company, can't go wrong.
So, this is it. As of tomorrow, this blog starts to do what it says on the tin. Where will the next year lead me? Am I destined for Sex and the City living, or a daily existence more akin to Seinfeld?
The curtain rises...
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
NY on my mind
Understandably, really, as I leave in less than a week. I've been busy sorting out all the things that need to be done before I go stateside - made an appointment to sign my lease agreement, ordered my traveller's cheques, got my documentation in order, and countless other things. It's at once exciting and terrifying - as the wonderfully patronising Coming to Columbia Guide for International Students reminds us, "relocating to a new country in one of the fastest-paced cities in the world is an exciting, but challenging, experience." No kidding. Worryingly, according to the guide, "Even a good command of English does not necessarily prepare you for the new accents and idioms you may encounter here." Whether that's a reflection on me or New York, I'm not sure.
There are a hundred and one things floating through my mind right now - Will I be alright for money? How will I compare to the other people on my course? Am I up to the job? What will my room be like? How will I get on with the other students, and New Yorkers generally? Will my flight take off on time? Should I call the hotel and tell them I'm arriving late on Wednesday evening? How long will it take me to find a job?
I know I should be almost salivating at the prospect of living in one of the world's greatest cities, but right now all I seem to be doing is worrying. I think things will become a lot clearer once I actually get there...right now it's all just speculative. But I've done as much preparation as I can, and I guess I have to trust in that.
In the meantime, I'm off to London again tomorrow evening, for dinner and a show (Stomp, I think) with Sarah, and am meeting Sandie, late of Miyagi and Tom Nisbet fame, for dinner in Cambridge on Friday. Added to the main event on Saturday, it looks like I am going to be quite the man about town again these coming few days.
There are a hundred and one things floating through my mind right now - Will I be alright for money? How will I compare to the other people on my course? Am I up to the job? What will my room be like? How will I get on with the other students, and New Yorkers generally? Will my flight take off on time? Should I call the hotel and tell them I'm arriving late on Wednesday evening? How long will it take me to find a job?
I know I should be almost salivating at the prospect of living in one of the world's greatest cities, but right now all I seem to be doing is worrying. I think things will become a lot clearer once I actually get there...right now it's all just speculative. But I've done as much preparation as I can, and I guess I have to trust in that.
In the meantime, I'm off to London again tomorrow evening, for dinner and a show (Stomp, I think) with Sarah, and am meeting Sandie, late of Miyagi and Tom Nisbet fame, for dinner in Cambridge on Friday. Added to the main event on Saturday, it looks like I am going to be quite the man about town again these coming few days.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Don't fear the phlebotomist
Not the most transparent of titles, I admit. For those of you out there thinking that the longer of the four words in the title sounds like something vaguely kinky, well, sorry to disappoint you, although it does involve penetration of a certain kind.
No, a phlebotomist is someone who takes blood samples in a medical capacity. Now, the New York public health law I mentioned a while ago requires me to document immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Given that my NHS records are in cold storage cos I've been overseas for the last two years, I had no option but to get the blood test done at our local surgery.
So, gritting my teeth, I walked in at 8:45, spoke to the doctor, had my blood pressure taken (it's apparently "perfect"), and went in to see the phlebotomist. I will readily admit that I am not very good with needles, so I gritted my teeth and tried to think of something else while the equipment was readied and then inserted. Unfortunately, the first attempt didn't really work - either she missed the vein, or my blood pressure was so low that it didn't want to come out, and I could only manage a few drops into the syringe. It took no fewer than three attempts to get enough of the red stuff out to fill the vial, during which I had something of a dizzy spell, necessitating the last two attempts to be done on the floor of the surgery lest I fall over. Not an experience I would care to repeat, but one has to see the humour in the situation. Still, all done and dusted now, and if everything goes according to plan I should have the results in before I go to NYC. Otherwise I could be in trouble - I'm not allowed to register without them.
Apart from that, quite an uneventful week. I helped out with more gardening round my Mum's place, saw my brother, who as I write has now gone to Italy for ten days, and enjoyed yet another absorbing contest in the Ashes. England have the Aussies on the ropes - tomorrow will show if they can finish the job and go 2-1 up in the series. It would be truly special if it were to work out that way.
And while we're on the subject of sport, I managed to squeeze in a game for the Wadham College Old Boys' team in Battersea on Saturday afternoon. As I my wont, I played in goal, and while I was a little erratic at times, I was nothing like the nervous wreck I had been when I made my debut for Wadham 3rds all those years ago. Not that it made much difference - we still lost 4-3, just as we had way back in 1997. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. In any case, then and in the pub afterwards, it was great to catch up with some old faces from college, most of whom are now city boys. Different lives, different goals these days, but no harm in turning back the clock for just one afternoon.
More of the same on Sunday, meeting Karen, until late of Miyagi and Shizugawa, in Cambridge for lunch, pub and shoe-shopping. The first Miyagi-ite I have seen since I got back, and it seems unlikely that I'll cross paths with many others apart from her any time soon. Got filled in on all the gossip, and it was naturally a pleasure to spend an afternoon with Ms. Scott. While it's only been three weeks since I left, it already feels like the two years I spent in Japan were a different world, somehow divorced from reality. In a sense they were - real life is about to get a lot more real when I get on that plane on the 23rd...
As luck would have it, I am due to fly with BA a week on Tuesday - I'm off to Cambridge tomorrow to get some travel insurance, just in case...
No, a phlebotomist is someone who takes blood samples in a medical capacity. Now, the New York public health law I mentioned a while ago requires me to document immunity to measles, mumps and rubella. Given that my NHS records are in cold storage cos I've been overseas for the last two years, I had no option but to get the blood test done at our local surgery.
So, gritting my teeth, I walked in at 8:45, spoke to the doctor, had my blood pressure taken (it's apparently "perfect"), and went in to see the phlebotomist. I will readily admit that I am not very good with needles, so I gritted my teeth and tried to think of something else while the equipment was readied and then inserted. Unfortunately, the first attempt didn't really work - either she missed the vein, or my blood pressure was so low that it didn't want to come out, and I could only manage a few drops into the syringe. It took no fewer than three attempts to get enough of the red stuff out to fill the vial, during which I had something of a dizzy spell, necessitating the last two attempts to be done on the floor of the surgery lest I fall over. Not an experience I would care to repeat, but one has to see the humour in the situation. Still, all done and dusted now, and if everything goes according to plan I should have the results in before I go to NYC. Otherwise I could be in trouble - I'm not allowed to register without them.
Apart from that, quite an uneventful week. I helped out with more gardening round my Mum's place, saw my brother, who as I write has now gone to Italy for ten days, and enjoyed yet another absorbing contest in the Ashes. England have the Aussies on the ropes - tomorrow will show if they can finish the job and go 2-1 up in the series. It would be truly special if it were to work out that way.
And while we're on the subject of sport, I managed to squeeze in a game for the Wadham College Old Boys' team in Battersea on Saturday afternoon. As I my wont, I played in goal, and while I was a little erratic at times, I was nothing like the nervous wreck I had been when I made my debut for Wadham 3rds all those years ago. Not that it made much difference - we still lost 4-3, just as we had way back in 1997. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. In any case, then and in the pub afterwards, it was great to catch up with some old faces from college, most of whom are now city boys. Different lives, different goals these days, but no harm in turning back the clock for just one afternoon.
More of the same on Sunday, meeting Karen, until late of Miyagi and Shizugawa, in Cambridge for lunch, pub and shoe-shopping. The first Miyagi-ite I have seen since I got back, and it seems unlikely that I'll cross paths with many others apart from her any time soon. Got filled in on all the gossip, and it was naturally a pleasure to spend an afternoon with Ms. Scott. While it's only been three weeks since I left, it already feels like the two years I spent in Japan were a different world, somehow divorced from reality. In a sense they were - real life is about to get a lot more real when I get on that plane on the 23rd...
As luck would have it, I am due to fly with BA a week on Tuesday - I'm off to Cambridge tomorrow to get some travel insurance, just in case...
Monday, August 08, 2005
My place in the sun
A wonderful weekend, the sun shining all the way through it, or at least as close to as we seem to be permitted in this country. I'm even verging on a tan.
Spent most of Saturday wondering around Cambridge and sitting down by the river with Sarah. It was a genuine pleasure to see her again - in the last couple of years I had forgotten how well we get on and how much we have in common. We reminisced, ate lunch, had coffee, dodged the hordes of Eurotrash that plague the city at this time of year, and talked about all sorts of random stuff. No finer way to spend an afternoon.
Sunday, went down to the Smoke again to have lunch round Matt and Nina's, more old friends from college. I was treated to a magnificent repast, summery weather, pints of good ale in the pub and (sp?) capirinha, the new Brazilian cocktail that's apparently all the rage within the M25. I have missed out on all this stuff, the fashions and the ebb and flow of what's hot and not. But then, on the other hand I've missed stuff like Crazy Frog as well, so it's not all bad.
The Test match finished as being one of the most astonishing games in recent history, certainly the match of the decade, England winning by a mere two runs. I'm fully aware of the indifference, not to say incomprehension of most of my readers as regards the game of cricket, and all I can say is this - you're a bunch of philistines.
Spent most of Saturday wondering around Cambridge and sitting down by the river with Sarah. It was a genuine pleasure to see her again - in the last couple of years I had forgotten how well we get on and how much we have in common. We reminisced, ate lunch, had coffee, dodged the hordes of Eurotrash that plague the city at this time of year, and talked about all sorts of random stuff. No finer way to spend an afternoon.
Sunday, went down to the Smoke again to have lunch round Matt and Nina's, more old friends from college. I was treated to a magnificent repast, summery weather, pints of good ale in the pub and (sp?) capirinha, the new Brazilian cocktail that's apparently all the rage within the M25. I have missed out on all this stuff, the fashions and the ebb and flow of what's hot and not. But then, on the other hand I've missed stuff like Crazy Frog as well, so it's not all bad.
The Test match finished as being one of the most astonishing games in recent history, certainly the match of the decade, England winning by a mere two runs. I'm fully aware of the indifference, not to say incomprehension of most of my readers as regards the game of cricket, and all I can say is this - you're a bunch of philistines.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Wheels in motion
Been doing some more stuff that needs to be done before I go, like getting all the paperwork in order for my JET pension refund - that's going to come in very handy indeed. Should have it sent in on Monday, popped into Lloyds' in Cambridge and sorted out that part of the process.
Also booked a hotel for my first night in NYC - I get in at 7:40 p.m. so obviously won't be able to move into my room the first night I'm there. Reserved a 1 1/2 star place on West 38th Street, looks pretty low budget but then it's only for one night so what the hell.
Plans for this weekend - seeing Sarah, my ex-girlfriend of 3 years ago, for lunch and what will hopefully be a leisurely afternoon down by the Cam. Pimms all round. Perhaps. Will likely feel slightly weird, I haven't seen her in two and a half years. And Sunday I'll be down in London again, for Sunday lunch and a relaxing stroll with Nina and Matt, more friends from college.
And England have been giving the Aussies something to think about in the Edgbaston Test - it's been an enthralling two days' cricket.
Also booked a hotel for my first night in NYC - I get in at 7:40 p.m. so obviously won't be able to move into my room the first night I'm there. Reserved a 1 1/2 star place on West 38th Street, looks pretty low budget but then it's only for one night so what the hell.
Plans for this weekend - seeing Sarah, my ex-girlfriend of 3 years ago, for lunch and what will hopefully be a leisurely afternoon down by the Cam. Pimms all round. Perhaps. Will likely feel slightly weird, I haven't seen her in two and a half years. And Sunday I'll be down in London again, for Sunday lunch and a relaxing stroll with Nina and Matt, more friends from college.
And England have been giving the Aussies something to think about in the Edgbaston Test - it's been an enthralling two days' cricket.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Man about garden
Met Tori as planned, had a good lunch at Dojo in Cambridge, and enjoyed - if that's the right word - a spot of shopping later in the day. Good to see her as always.
Went in to see the nurse at the local surgery for my blood test - only to find out that nobody there had told her about the setup and she couldn't perform the test without a doctor's authorisation. So I have yet another appointment, this time next Wednesday, to talk to the doctor, and then get the test done afterwards. Results will, they say, be back in 48 hours but this being the NHS I am placing little store in that statement. Annoying, but hopefully not fatal.
Went round to my Mum's today to do some odd jobs around her house, like helping her out with the Japanese version of a PowerPoint presentation (she's off on a British Council headteachers' jaunt to Tokyo in the autumn), trimming her hedge and helping her pour some concrete for a new step on her porch. Construction and yard work - this is what I am reduced to.
Went in to see the nurse at the local surgery for my blood test - only to find out that nobody there had told her about the setup and she couldn't perform the test without a doctor's authorisation. So I have yet another appointment, this time next Wednesday, to talk to the doctor, and then get the test done afterwards. Results will, they say, be back in 48 hours but this being the NHS I am placing little store in that statement. Annoying, but hopefully not fatal.
Went round to my Mum's today to do some odd jobs around her house, like helping her out with the Japanese version of a PowerPoint presentation (she's off on a British Council headteachers' jaunt to Tokyo in the autumn), trimming her hedge and helping her pour some concrete for a new step on her porch. Construction and yard work - this is what I am reduced to.
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